Page 12 of Sweet Redemption
Chapter Five
Markus
Fuck. The taste of Charlie’s sweet mouth was too much to resist. I wanted more. I deepened the kiss, taking all that she was willing to give me right there, in my arms.
However, as I leaned in, Charlie pulled away. “Markus.” Damn. The way she rasped out my name in her sensually laden voice, my dick grew harder.
“Charlie.” I responded in a growl, leaning my forehead to hers.
“Mark?” The sound of my name set off a boom, echoing off the shelves and broke whatever connection I had with Charlie. “Are you in here?”
“Better put me down, or there will be talk,” Charlie whispered.
Against my better judgment, I did as she asked and slowly lowered her to the sofa, then took the small gingham pillow and propped it under her foot.
“I’m good, you can stop fussing over me” Charlie readjusted where I’d put her.
The clicking of heels echoed off the thinly lined bookshelves. I hadn’t realized it until now that there weren’t a lot of books—not nearly enough to sustain a town of readers, if the people in this town read.
“There you are, Mark. I went to your room but Arlene told me you’d left. What are you doing here? I have a table ready for us, if you’re hungry,” Lila said with a mock surprise when her eyes landed on Charlie. She smiled, though her narrowing eyes showed a different chord of emotion. Lila assessed the situation between Charlie and I and went ramrod stiff. Charlie’s swollen tasty lips told all that needed to be said at what we were doing before Lila intruded.
“I’m sure Charlie is way too busy to entertain since she has to work. I have the time. Why don’t you come with me and I’ll show you around, Mark.”
I had to hand it to Lila. She had balls walking in here acting like she was way better than Charlie—far from it though. There was no way I was going to stick my dick into that piece of loose trash. I had enough of those in LA, and like them she had the audacity to assume that I would take up her offer.
“Lila, when did you get the idea I would have lunch with you? Or do anything with you?” I turned to Charlie. “Did I say a word about having lunch with her in the truck?”
Charlie’s grim look softened into a soft grin. “Not a single word.”
“But Mark—”
“But Mark what, Lila? I don’t know you.” My words sliced fast, which Lila winced at the harshness of my tone. I didn’t like games, especially with women who thought they had a hand over me. I learned a valuable lesson by losing my brother Bryce’s friendship and bond over a woman who was far from worth it. “Please, don’t make a spectacle of yourself. I’m here with Charlie, who right now will have lunch with me while she rests her ankle.” I turned my attention back to Charlie. “Isn’t that right?”
Charlie had her hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh out loud, but she giggled. “That’s right,” she said with such jubilance that I couldn’t help let out a chuckle.
The disjointed sounds of Lila’s speedily retreating heels bounced off the walls.
“Is she gone?” I asked, not bothering to look over my shoulder.
She leaned to the side and stared down at the empty hall. Charlie nodded. “With fire under her cheap stilettos.”
“Good. Now let’s see what we can do about your ankle.” I was about to scoop her up again, but Charlie shook her head.
“I’m good here. I’m sure with some rest, I’ll be okay. See, it’s already feeling better.” Charlie tried to stand on the lone foot, but nearly collapsed. I was right there to catch her before she fell on her face.
“I gotcha.”
I was pressed so close to her that I could feel the pounding of her heart. And before I got the urge to lean in and kiss her, Charlie slapped a hand on my mouth.
“I thank you for your help, but I don’t want you to kiss me again. I don’t know you and I’m not that type of girl—like Lila—to mess around with a man I don’t know.”
I wanted to nip at her palm or kiss it, but instead I did as Charlie asked. I nodded and said in a muffled voice, “Fine.”
She dropped her hand and pointed to the sofa. “Please help me down on the couch. You can leave me there. I can rest while I do my paperwork.”
I did as she asked, but I wasn’t going to leave her alone. Something about Charlie drew me to her. “How about this, I’ll grab some ice for your ankle and lunch for us from Arlene’s.”
“Just a bag of ice would be nice.” Her smile was tentative, but there was something more in her bright blue eyes I couldn’t decipher. Maybe need?
